EU says Turkey must respect 'presumption of innocence'

EU says Turkey must respect 'presumption of innocence'

Nov. 03, 2017

https://www.apnews.com/95747c0b1ee54489a6b3963e1a3e5932

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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The European Union says Turkey must respect the "presumption of innocence" principle in its prosecution of a businessman and activist accused of attempting to overthrow the government.

Osman Kavala was detained last month for alleged connections to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for a failed military coup last year. Kavala was charged with crimes against the state this week.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Kavala "Turkey's Soros," a reference to American billionaire George Soros.

Soros' Open Society Foundations have funded education, health, justice and media projects around the world.